A Forbes Travel Guide Recommended restaurant, Caf du Parc is a quintessential French brasserie offering classic French dishes with a contemporary twist. Influenced by the Beaux-Arts architecture of the Willard InterContinental and the French-inspired design of Washington, D.C. by Pierre L'Enfant, a French-American Engineer, Caf du Parc was opened as a French restaurant in 1997 looking to bring a slice of France once more to the Nation's Capital.
Located on Pennsylvania Avenue across from Pershing Park, a national park home to the World War 1 Memorial, Caf du Parc is reminiscent of a Parisian-inspired sidewalk caf. Paying homage to traditional French cooking, the restaurant offers diners a variety of culinary offerings from coffee and pastries at its coffee shop, Le Caf, to breakfast, lunch, and dinner on its outdoor terrace or inside the main dining room.
Located on Pennsylvania Avenue across from Pershing Park, a national park home to the World War 1 Memorial, Caf du Parc is reminiscent of a Parisian-inspired sidewalk caf. Paying homage to traditional French cooking, the restaurant offers diners a variety of culinary offerings from coffee and pastries at its coffee shop, Le Caf, to breakfast, lunch, and dinner on its outdoor terrace or inside the main dining room.
Reviews (22)
Yande M.
Jan 31, 2022
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So I had heard such great things about this place. It's a cute restaurant, it reminds me of France. However, the overall service and experience was rather disappointing. The staff was not very attentive. On numerous occasions, we had to ask for coffee to be refilled. It was not at all busy, and a good chunk of the wait staff were standing around chatting. Our server did not want to be there. When I asked if their hot chocolate was more sweet or what type of milk it was made with, his response was "It's hot chocolate, ma'am."
The Food/Drinks:
Hot Chocolate: Very average
The Food/Drinks:
Hot Chocolate: Very average
Jordan N.
Jan 25, 2022
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This is a very solid French cafe and restaurant. Great service, French classics on the menu, and classy French bistro vibe.
The cafe (aka coffee shop) with a display of pastries is on the first floor whereas the dine-in restaurant is on the second floor. After perusing the bakery display case which had amazing looking pastries and desserts next to the French bakery classics (croissants, etc), I went up to eat after finding out how pricey they were (priced at $10 for the sweets and $5 for the baked items).
-Escargot Bourgogne, with garlic butter: was a bit under seasoned, but came in 8 large pieces
The cafe (aka coffee shop) with a display of pastries is on the first floor whereas the dine-in restaurant is on the second floor. After perusing the bakery display case which had amazing looking pastries and desserts next to the French bakery classics (croissants, etc), I went up to eat after finding out how pricey they were (priced at $10 for the sweets and $5 for the baked items).
-Escargot Bourgogne, with garlic butter: was a bit under seasoned, but came in 8 large pieces
Alexa Linn W.
Jan 24, 2022
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Five stars for the crème brûlée. Seriously. It was so excellent. But more on that.
We arrived around 2:15 PM for lunch for our party of three. Was very excited to try the Restaurant Week lunch menu, and got there so we could order during the lunch hours, listed on the website as till 2:30 on Saturdays. We knew what we wanted before sitting and would have been ready to order right away.
However, after we were seated, we were informed the RW menu stopped at 2pm. Why in the world would you stop serving the lunch menu 30 minutes before lunch service ended? We would have arrived earlier if that
We arrived around 2:15 PM for lunch for our party of three. Was very excited to try the Restaurant Week lunch menu, and got there so we could order during the lunch hours, listed on the website as till 2:30 on Saturdays. We knew what we wanted before sitting and would have been ready to order right away.
However, after we were seated, we were informed the RW menu stopped at 2pm. Why in the world would you stop serving the lunch menu 30 minutes before lunch service ended? We would have arrived earlier if that
Stephanie Powers
Dec 29, 2021
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Maggie Ryan
Dec 16, 2021
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I’ve been coming to Café du Parc since childhood and have a lot of fond memories here; but this visit, I left wanting my money back. I ordered a ham & cheese croissant and a hot chocolate, as did my friend. However, the café does not have an oven to warm up their pastries, so the croissant was cold and not flavorful. I’m not sure what café doesn’t have an oven…. the management needs to do better. It’s evident the pastries are not fresh, but that could be due to the fact that I came here in the late afternoon. They served both items in paper, not in a cup or on a plate, even though
Diane Rosington
Dec 14, 2021
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Decided to eat dinner at Cafe du Parc before viewing the National Tree. While at the Willard, we were treated to Christmas carols being sung by an acapella group in the lobby and beautiful Christmas decorations. We took a small 'lift' up to the second floor restaurant and enjoyed our dinner of burgers and fries. The burger was seasoned and cooked well, served with all the trimmings including garlic aioli and crispy fried onions on a bun that held up well with the burger. The fries were delivered hot but quickly cooled. Which to eat first? Fries or burger?! Coke products and alcoholic beverages
Tog Traveler
Dec 12, 2021
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We had a nice anniversary meal on a recent Friday night.
The cocktails were great, appy of roasted beet salad was ok, not very roasted, a little light on the goat cheese, but still interesting.
Our entrees were the Beef Bourguignon and the Wild Boar.
The bourguignon was standard good, not overly rich, done for a broad, touristy audience, but good.
The wild boar was a very flavorful, but a little fatty, enjoyable none the less.
The portion was a little more generous for the Wild Boar, and it’s accompanying vegetables.
Dessert was a mixed bag, we ordered the tart which was very bland and
The cocktails were great, appy of roasted beet salad was ok, not very roasted, a little light on the goat cheese, but still interesting.
Our entrees were the Beef Bourguignon and the Wild Boar.
The bourguignon was standard good, not overly rich, done for a broad, touristy audience, but good.
The wild boar was a very flavorful, but a little fatty, enjoyable none the less.
The portion was a little more generous for the Wild Boar, and it’s accompanying vegetables.
Dessert was a mixed bag, we ordered the tart which was very bland and
Hilda Kroll
Dec 03, 2021
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Rachel M.
Nov 22, 2021
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Mia K.
Nov 19, 2021
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Great Location near The White House and the WA monument.
Great Service from server Moises.
Great Ambience especially on a warm evening of French bistro tables and chairs with bright blue umbrellas outside.
Good Food. All were decent. Not cheap but didn't expect it to be cheap if it is part of the historic grand Willard Hotel.
Food & Price
Appetizers
Spanish Octopus
appetizer size so a couple of each: fingerling potatoes, broccolinis, carasau chips, safran aioli, Spanish paprika $21 4*
Duck Pate
Fuji apple compote, frisée, brandied cherry coulis, country bread. $18 4*
Salad
Great Service from server Moises.
Great Ambience especially on a warm evening of French bistro tables and chairs with bright blue umbrellas outside.
Good Food. All were decent. Not cheap but didn't expect it to be cheap if it is part of the historic grand Willard Hotel.
Food & Price
Appetizers
Spanish Octopus
appetizer size so a couple of each: fingerling potatoes, broccolinis, carasau chips, safran aioli, Spanish paprika $21 4*
Duck Pate
Fuji apple compote, frisée, brandied cherry coulis, country bread. $18 4*
Salad
Cassie V.
Oct 26, 2021
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Rob B.
Oct 06, 2021
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Stopped by on a sunny fall day to a full restaurant but they found us a table ! The patio setting is gorgeous! Nice selection of offerings but I couldn't resist the Croque Madam. My sandwich was perfectly made and topped with a nice egg. Note: two nice non-alcoholic cocktails on the menu, I had the Mandarin.
Valeriya Makhonina
Oct 02, 2021
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Jay W.
Sep 24, 2021
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So wow I've never eaten in a cozy, bright setting alongside the Secret Service, but I guess there's a first time for everything. I ordered the Croque Monsiuer, with fries. The fries were deliciously prepared and of generous portion, but the sandwich left a lot to be desired. It was small and fell apart--better eaten with a fork and knife perhaps--but was tasty. The decor here is a bonus--plenty to see and smile about. The prices were a bit stiff for my liking, though when you're located within a couple blocks of the White House, inside a hotel with a long history that's significant
Nelli B.
Sep 21, 2021
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Cute coffee shop with a Parisian feel. My friend and I grabbed coffee/pastries to go, and I was disappointed to see that her cappuccino was made in 5 seconds (handed to her before we finished paying). It also just didn't smell like coffee in the cafe. Those were instant red flags when it comes to freshness; for $30 for two espresso drinks and croissants, I'd expect better quality
Shaina Ziggler
Jun 18, 2021
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A great place for a date night! Or a girls day out! My friends and I sat outside on the patio and experience lovely weather, amazing and patient host and delicious dessert.
From the look of the menu entrées and appetizers are reasonably price. However, you feel like you’re having a five-star meal. This place is definitely worth the trip!!
My friend had the chocolate mousse and I had the apricot tart with vanilla ice cream. They were both absolutely delicious!
**my video will not upload
From the look of the menu entrées and appetizers are reasonably price. However, you feel like you’re having a five-star meal. This place is definitely worth the trip!!
My friend had the chocolate mousse and I had the apricot tart with vanilla ice cream. They were both absolutely delicious!
**my video will not upload
H. S.
Jun 07, 2021
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I had lunch once I checked in with some friends. I honestly thought it would be your usual "hotel expected quality" meal - but I was happily mistaken.
There is lovely outdoor seating in a park setting was so relaxing. The lunch was amazing! French bread buttered and grilled for their version of a turkey BLT accompanied by shoe string fries - sensational. The day I checked out I again ate there with friends and had breakfast only to be surprised again! The omelet was delicious and to have asparagus spears added to your plate was a very nice touch. Side of bacon very nice and not
There is lovely outdoor seating in a park setting was so relaxing. The lunch was amazing! French bread buttered and grilled for their version of a turkey BLT accompanied by shoe string fries - sensational. The day I checked out I again ate there with friends and had breakfast only to be surprised again! The omelet was delicious and to have asparagus spears added to your plate was a very nice touch. Side of bacon very nice and not
David Z.
Jun 02, 2021
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Chris S.
Jun 01, 2021
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Dinner was not quite as good as my previous breakfast.
I asked for sparkling water, normally a welcome up sell. But, the server brought me tap water.
The gazpacho was good but not great. It was somewhat bland for my taste.
I wanted wild mushrooms as a side dish, but they were out. The server didn't know what were the mixed vegetables. But, the broccolini, carrots, green beans, cauliflower, and asparagus were tasty.
The beef Bourguignon was good, except it had chunks of what I think was pork belly. My palate thought it was a mistake.
I had a glass of Malbec that was pretty good for
I asked for sparkling water, normally a welcome up sell. But, the server brought me tap water.
The gazpacho was good but not great. It was somewhat bland for my taste.
I wanted wild mushrooms as a side dish, but they were out. The server didn't know what were the mixed vegetables. But, the broccolini, carrots, green beans, cauliflower, and asparagus were tasty.
The beef Bourguignon was good, except it had chunks of what I think was pork belly. My palate thought it was a mistake.
I had a glass of Malbec that was pretty good for
Vitaliy Glotov
Apr 17, 2021
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Great location and food. But service could be much better. Waiter brought our food and then never asked us whether we need anything else until payment. Gave us an individual sized bottle of mayo that has been used by someone else (you have to dig into it with your knife and someone already did). Girl at the door served us better than the waiter. Had to ask her for new condiments, additional silverware etc. Lack of care or lack of training?
Philip Wilson
Apr 03, 2021
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Picture it... A beautiful sunlit day, surrounded by great company, eating delicious food - with HORRIBLE service; that's Café du Parc.
We all started out ordering drinks and appetizers, only to have to literally beg for water. I had the caesar salad and the Moscow mule. The salad was quite tasty, and even though I hate when the restaurant brings a salad with uncapped anchovies - I enjoyed it, work and all. The others in my party enjoyed the French onion soup - which was quite rich; and the crab cake, that was surprisingly full of crab and not too much filler.
The entree’s were quite tasty
We all started out ordering drinks and appetizers, only to have to literally beg for water. I had the caesar salad and the Moscow mule. The salad was quite tasty, and even though I hate when the restaurant brings a salad with uncapped anchovies - I enjoyed it, work and all. The others in my party enjoyed the French onion soup - which was quite rich; and the crab cake, that was surprisingly full of crab and not too much filler.
The entree’s were quite tasty
Matt H.
Feb 15, 2021
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